Deemania since 56

That is a very good assertion. Yesterday, we did 'bomb' to a fwd line pack once or twice too often resulting in painful clearances whereas gaps and players existed in a more-focussed percentage game just a little short of this destination. Eyes up - these opportunities may well have been better exploited.

Agree, Salem was one of our best against North.

Nicely posited complaint that we all feel - the AFL and its communications/business associates take us all for a ride just because we are there.

That addition to our skills base of Melksham and Hibberd in one fell swoop was an act of genius.

Whilst appreciative of the availability of the Foxtel broadcasts, it is time that its commentators concentrated on the essentials of the game. Sometimes, I feel that comments are way off the mark and often, a noticeable bias and even a prejudice arises. There even seems to be an urgency to be controversially sensational, similar to placing a bet on an a roughie in the last should the nag get up. It would be interesting to review such accuracies over time.

Good point, 'hard running'. It is a real feature even in pursuit of a clear, opposition possession.

Sure is becoming thematic! Hard for opposition teams to counter, respond to for a recovery of their game plan and change the pattern of an impending loss. Great to see, once again, after all these years.

Fritsch does need to apply a bit more fwd defence than that showed against North in the JLT. A little word from Garlett may help as he is a recent improver in this part of the game. Overall, he adds plenty to our talents and potentials, and will benefit from more 'game time' experience at this level. The big bodies up there cannot mark every delivery but can be constructive in tapping, palming and knocking the ball to ground - with Garlett, Hannan, Fritsch and Bugg nearby - to enormous advantage. This may well be a regular role for the big heart of the team: Pedersen.

Anywhere on the fwd line, preferably as a flanker from the bench to come onto the ground whilst someone else rested; he can then play his terrific 'roving' role and with his usually superb disposal/kicking - and goals on the run - he could become an opposition nightmare. This young fella is quite a gun footballer who has missed many games due to previous injuries. He got hit in the head because he had to be stopped in the past.

Nice game providing some indications for the season. It's great to beat North in any form of the game, particularly by such a margin. My picks for JLT 2 in the probable absence of Viney would now most likely be: FB: Hibberd - Tom-Mac - Jetta HB: Lever - Frost - Hunt C: Salem - Oliver - Harmes HF: ANB - Pedersen - Melksham FF: Fritch - Hogan - Garlett R: Gawn - Tracca - Bugg I: Tyson - Chunk - Vince/Wagner - Hannan/Maynard E: - Brayshaw - Lewis This would give us 3 alternative rucks - an absolutely elite backline - a mobile and very deft centreline/midfield - big bangs for the buck at half-fwd - a very talented FF combination and downfield support. Playing as a team would be critical. Pedersen at CHF may be a surprise for some/many/a few (?) but he does some great bodywork as a rock of Gibraltar against defenders (seen again today against North in JLT) and creates a pathway for other fwds in that zone; he has also been capable of kicking some match-winning goals, taking some terrific possessions and marks, and passing accurately and effectively by both hand and foot. He is much more mobile now than last year, as well. Plus, the fans love him for it all.

I would add gutsy Bugg, Salem's poise and delivery, and Tracca's drive to the 'standout' list. Gawn was great all game.

Yep, he marked a few as intercepts, he did kick several accurately to a position or a player moving into a position and these were as good as you could expect. It is an improvement on last year so there is some hope for a better 2018. I just believe Tom is our best resource for FBK for marking, kicking and positioning, and his ability to clear or destroy opponents' marks through his spoiling/punching skills.

Great performance - even though it was a JLT series game - that clearly indicates his capacity to mix it with others as an opponent and as a team player/resource. Would also like to see Spargo and the Ginger Ninja (Baker) next week.

Good result and well played, as a team. Greater options appear available with the list. OMac failed to please being led up the ground out of position too often. Does a bit too much holding, as well, without acquired discretion. Frosty needs to be at CHB and Tom needs to come back to FFWD as we have great players in the forward line with many options. Loved to game played by Salem, Maynard and ANB.

Too right! Supergoals are a killer and mess with the game.

Have a good-ee, Josh. Wish I was in the vicinity for a few dozen, pre-game Tassy oysters on the dock, a bowl of chowder and pub crawl to the ground, with the good wishes of James Boag. Ah, the Tasmanian air! Carna Dees.

Now that is controversial.

Robbo in all his football ignorance should stop attempting to generalise the Club or the League. His perceptions seem to be very insecure - falling back on his 'feelings' or 'hopes' (for some reason - does he bet?) and thus fails to make a point based on observable fact. The final ignominy of the last game of the previous season has tempered and motivated our players - a fact brought out of the darkened air in training and preparation for this coming season. We now can run in the light with a team of depth, far greater potential and comparatively limited injury to players to date. Too much was asked of our young brigade to overcome the various losses of form and fortune of last season - be these injuries, suspensions, brain fades or just unexpected on-field talent; umpiring played a part in this, for some reason, disadvantaging our team several times in several on-field recoveries against 'greater' opponents. Sneaking up behind were the Tigers, as had the Bulldogs the year before. Robbo, you must barrack for a team that is not the MFC. It is too easy to generalise, to consensually dismiss a team operating in considerable hardship over many weeks. Perhaps this year may prove to be a far bigger year for the MFC than 'generally' acknowledged at this point.

Could not agree more - Pedersen and Frost are essentials without doubt and both now have the mobility to do it big time. It is nice to have a few recruited 'guns' in abeyance, at this stage of the season and to use them as 'shock tactics' at a slightly later stage. I'd really like to see Tom McD resume at full back to ensure our 'elite' backline prospects come to fruition. We already have several power forwards, with Hogan at FFwd and Pedo with Garlett nearby. Tracca moving through the middle into a direct route towards goal is going to be exciting, and it is time to free up Melks as a pure forward asset.

Brilliant, jnrmac!

Can only see one frequent weakness in the backline. Guess who?

There is great literary, philosophic and extremely esoteric meaning in these words, and these come from a long way back in a time when most things were quite straight forward, including umpiring, Well said, Dedogtor. ...breaking a Tom Scully tackle and his leg to kick the winning goal?

Hell, that is a great consideration. Fits nicely with a total running game to have two feeders in tandem.

One of my greatest hopes with the team is that Billy Stretch can emulate a reasonable percentage of the fine running, ball-carrying and disposal that his father, Stephen, was able to achieve on all grounds.

Win a few early, impress the AFL monolith and the true-blooded fans, stay aloof as best as possible from the sponsorship debate, honour the jumper by not carrying a viral logo from a sponsor - and allow the team to get on with it. We could do worse. Then, be selective as to who is knocking on the door. Go slowly...